This evaluation of the pilot phase of "Skills for Work" courses demonstrates many strengths. The report includes many examples of innovative good practice, which HMIE will disseminate and promote through events and a range of media. It is particularly encouraging that almost all learners had a very positive experience and gained increased confidence and maturity. Strategic partnerships between local authorities, schools, colleges, and other providers, had been formed or extended with clear rationales designed to meet the vocational needs of young people. In many of these partnerships there remained scope to improve continuity in the curriculum and learning and teaching, and to develop more concerted approaches to quality assurance and improvement. In these cases, the most problematic practical issues were around transforming timetable arrangements to enable all learners to fully engage in "Skills for Work" courses. "Skills for Work" courses offer the prospect of real educational gain for young learners and resultant advantages to the economy and society. The findings in this report suggest that Scottish education is well placed to build on the good progress that has been made in this area. Appended are: (1) Centres visited; (2) "How good is our school?" and "Skills for Work" courses; and (3) Signposts to improvement. (Contains 10 footnotes.)